The Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Albert T. Chie, says the best and legal way to settle the dual citizenship issue in Liberia is by going through national referendum for the second time, since the 2020 referendum was rejected by Liberians.
Senator Chie made the statement Tuesday, October 19, 2021 on Capitol Hill during the first session of the Special Session of the 54th Legislature. On Monday, October 18, the Legislature commenced a two-month special Session to act on some national issues, including the national budget. The reconvening of the Legislature is done in line with the PFM Law and in accordance with Article 32(b) of the 1986 Constitution. “The special session was called by members of Legislature through a resolution signed by majority lawmakers and not by the President, as claimed by the public,” Pro-Tempore Chie said.
“For the records, let me state that a majority of senators, including myself, support the concept of ‘once a Liberian, you will always be a Liberian’, in support of Article 27(a) of the 1986 Constitution. However, we are also of the opinion that the permanent way to lay the issue of dual citizenship to rest is through a national referendum to amend Article 28 of the Constitution. Unfortunately, this provision did not pass in the December 2020 referendum. This provision of the Constitution is regarded as prohibition against dual citizenship,” Chie explained.
The Pro-Tempore’s response is based on the recent letter from the Minister of Justice to the Minister of Foreign Affairs urging due notice in the implementation of the revised regulations to govern the administration and issuance of Liberian passports. The Justice Minister referenced the opinion of the Supreme Court of Liberia sitting its October 2019 term, against the automatic forfeiture of one’s Liberian citizenship without due process. This opinion is contained in the case, “Alvin Teage Jalloh petitioner vs Olubanke King Akerele”.
During the first special Session, the Grand Kru County Senator called on his colleagues to give consideration on some key national instruments, which are still in committee rooms during the two-month period.
He named some of the instruments as the external and internal security issues, roads rehabilitation, amendment to the election law, transparency and accountability bills, Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), illicit mining across the country and budgetary support for cities across the country.
According to Chie, the widely discussed ArcelorMittal amendment agreement, signed by the President, has not reached to his desk as administrative head of the Senate. He told reporters that his office has received a petition against the ArcelorMittal from some aggrieved citizens from Nimba. The concerns, according to him, will be properly looked at when the instrument is brought before them.